System and method for delivering playing cards

ABSTRACT

A method includes. determining numbers of a cards sequentially removed from a card shooter and delivered to one or more persons during a round of a card game. The method further includes determining, based on the determined numbers of the cards and based on one or more signals received from a set of card detecting optical sensors of a group of sensors located on one or more card guide rails, whether there is an attempt to draw a card from the card shooter after the round of the card game is over. The method also includes, based a determination of that the attempt occurred, generating a signal indicating the attempt.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/213,022 filed Dec. 7, 2018, which is a continuation fromU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/735,025 filed Jun. 9, 2015 (now U.S.Pat. No. 10,238,955), which is a continuation from U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/914,404 filed Jun. 10, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,656,155), which is a continuation-in-part from Int'l Pat. App. No.PCT/JP2012/006230 filed Sep. 28, 2012, and is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/884,021 filed Aug. 9, 2007 (now U.S.Pat. No. 8,561,989), which is a national phase application under 35 USC§ 371 of Int'l Pat. App. No. PCT/JP2005/003789 filed Mar. 4, 2005, whichclaims priority to JP Pat. App. No. 2004-079519 filed Mar. 19, 2004;each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of delivering cards having afunction of preventing erroneous drawing of a card in card games such asbaccarat that are played using playing cards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional card shoe apparatuses that are suitable for use in cardgames played in casinos or the like have been proposed. For example, acard shoe apparatus is disclosed in JP 1998-508236A in which a CCD imagesensor and the related optical system components are incorporated in thecard shoe. Also, a card reading window is provided in the exit of thecard shoe. When a card passes through the exit of the shoe, the suit(type) and the rank (number) of the card are read through the cardreading window.

However, such a conventional apparatus could not prevent a fraudulentact such as the insertion of false cards from the exit of the card shoe.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, andaims to provide a card shoe and a table game system with which it ispossible to prevent the fraudulent insertion of cards into a card shoeused in the card game or the fraudulent dealing of cards, as well as thedealing of any card that should not be dealt onto the game table.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above conventional problems, the present invention providesa method of delivering cards including: a card housing step for housinga plurality of cards into housing unit of a card shoe apparatus; adelivering step for manually taking out cards one by one from an openingof the card housing unit; a card reading step that reads information ofa card manually drawn out from the card housing unit onto a game table;a determination step of the winning/losing of the card game according tothe rules of the card game based on the information of a card read inthe card reading step and rules of a card game stored in a control unitthat stores; and a card movement restriction step by a card movementrestriction means that is provided in the opening unit and restricts themovement of a card from the card housing unit, wherein the card movementrestriction includes: 1) a function of prohibiting the drawing out of acard at an inappropriate timing; and 2) a function of prohibiting thedrawing out of a card when the card stands still (stopping)predetermined period of time at the opening of the card housing unit.

With the present invention, it is possible to provide a method ofdelivering cards capable of preventing, on site, any erroneous drawingor fraudulent act such as false or inappropriate dealing of cards, orthe like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing the overall configuration of a card reader ofthe present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a platform along with a game table and a cardshooter.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the platform and the card shooter.

FIG. 4 is a plan view in a state where a sensor cover is detached.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the platform.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a sensor arrangement.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the back surface of the platform.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control configuration including acontrol box.

FIG. 9 is a view showing sensor output according to situations.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of the output waves of sensors.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the card reader when anormal mode is set.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of the card reader when aspecial mode is set.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of a card.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a configuration in which the card reader andthe card shooter are integrated.

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of a card.

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of a card.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating the entirety of a card shoeapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a card according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a main portion of a card guide of the cardshoe apparatus, with the card guide partially broken, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main portion of a cardmovement restriction means according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention that restricts the movement of cards from a cardhousing unit of the card shoe apparatus of FIG. 17 as viewed from theside.

FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main portion of avariation of the card movement restriction means according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention that restricts themovement of cards from a card housing unit of the card shoe apparatus ofFIG. 17 as viewed from the side.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the relation between output waves fromsensors and marks of a card according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a card shoe apparatus accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 23A and 23B show cards that have been improperly shuffledaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The following detailed description and the accompanying drawings do notlimit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined bythe appended claims.

A card reader includes a platform that is set on a game table and has acard shooter mounted thereon; a card guide unit that is provided in theplatform to guide cards, which are pulled out one by one from the cardshooter, onto the game table; and black light sensors that are providedin the card guide unit to read an ultraviolet-ray reaction codeincluding the number of a card from the card.

According to this card reader, the platform is provided between the gametable and the card shooter, and the platform is provided with a cardreading function. Thus, reading of a card is enabled while the existingcard shooter is utilized. Moreover, since the black light sensors areused, reading precision is high, and the threshold value of the cardspeed at the time of reading can also be set to a large value, forexample, about 3.6 m/s. Also, the reading result of a card is suitablyhelpful to prevention of an illegal act.

Preferably, the card guide unit has a card guide surface, card guiderails are provided at edges of the card guide surface, a card passagegap is formed between the card guide surface and the card guide rails,and the black light sensors are provided so as to read a card from thecard guide surface within the card passage gap. Accordingly, theinfluence of outside light in a card reading part can be reduced, andreading precision can be improved.

Preferably, the card reader further includes a win/lose determiningmeans that determines the win or lose of a card game on the basis of thenumbers of the cards that are sequentially read by the black lightsensors, and an output means that outputs a game result determined bythe win/lose determining means. Accordingly, the progress of a game canbe supported, and an illegal act can be prevented.

Preferably, the card reader further includes an invalid mode settingmeans that sets a first card invalid mode that invalidates a card thatis first pulled out in each game. Accordingly, even when a rule thatinvalidates a first card is adopted, the card reader can perform gameresult determination processing adapted to a card game, and can smoothlyprocess a card game.

Preferably, the card reader further includes first and second carddetecting sensors that are arranged along a guiding direction of thecard guide unit to detect the existence or non-existence of a card, anda measurement validity/invalidity determining means that determineswhether or not a card has normally passed along the card guide unit, onthe basis of detection signals of the first and second card detectingsensors.

Preferably, the measurement validity/invalidity determining meansvalidates reading of a card when the first card detecting sensor and thesecond card detecting sensor detect the card in order, and then thefirst card detecting sensor and the second card detecting sensor stopdetecting the card in order.

Preferably, the measurement validity/invalidity determining meansinvalidates reading of a card when the first card detecting sensor andthe second card detecting sensor detect the card in order, and then thesecond card detecting sensor and the first card detecting sensor stopdetecting the card in order. Accordingly, when a card slips back, it ispossible to suitably cope with this.

Preferably, in the card reader, the sensitivity of the second carddetecting sensor is set so as to detect a card for game and so as not todetect a cut card. Accordingly, when a cut card is used, the card readercan suitably cope with this.

Further, in the card reader, the black light sensors are adapted todetect code elements including a given number from a card which the codeelements are arrayed in a card pulling direction as an ultraviolet-rayreaction code, and to output a detection signal. Also, the card readerincludes a number specifying means, and the number specifying meansspecifies a card associated with the numbers of the code elements on thebasis of the detection signals of the black light sensors. The codeelements are typically marks printed with ultraviolet-ray reaction ink.The code elements may be spaced apart from an edge of the card in adirection across a card pulling direction.

The numbers of the code elements are associated with at least the numberof a card. The numbers of the code elements may be associated with thesuit (spade, heart, etc.) of a card, in addition to the number of thecard. The numbers of the code elements may be associated with otherinformation.

Further, the ultraviolet-ray reaction code may have plural rows of thecode elements. The plural rows of code elements may be stacked inwardlyfrom an edge of the card. A card may be specified by a combination ofthe numbers of the plural rows of code elements. In this case, a card isspecified from the plural rows of code elements including given numbers.Accordingly, even in this case, the code elements including givennumbers are read. Also, the number specifying unit specifies the numberof a card associated with the numbers of the code elements.

Since the black light sensors are provided, the code elements aredetected by the black light sensors, and a card is specified from thenumbers of the code elements, the card can be detected with highprecision.

A card shooter apparatus has a card reading function to read the numberof a card. This card shooter apparatus includes black light sensors thatread an ultraviolet-ray reaction code including the number of each ofcards that are pulled one by one from a card shooter, from the card. Inthis aspect, the card shooter and the card reader may be providedseparately or integrally. Even in this aspect, an advantage that readingprecision can be improved is obtained, and an advantage that thethreshold value of the card speed at the time of reading is raised isobtained.

The card shooter apparatus may further include a housing, a card shooterunit that is provided in the housing, and a card guide unit that isprovided in the housing to guide cards pulled out one by one from thecard shooter unit onto a game table. Here, the black light sensors areprovided in the housing. The black light sensors may be provided in thehousing. The housing may include a processing unit that processes theread data of the black light sensors, and a display unit that displays aprocessing result of the processing unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a card reader 10 of the present embodiment. The card reader10 includes a platform 12, a control box 14 is connected to the platform12, and a monitor 16, and a win/lose display box 18 are connected to thecontrol box 14. The control box 14 is a computer apparatus that controlsthe whole apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the platform 12 is set on a game table 20, and acard shooter 22 (card shoe) is mounted on the platform 12.

The card shooter 22 may be a general type of existing shooter. The cardshooter 22 includes a card housing 24, and a fore leg 26 and a hind leg27 under the card housing. A floor 28 and a front wall 30 of the cardhousing 24 incline as shown. Within the card housing 24, a deck of cardsis forward pushed against the front wall 30 by a card push member 32with a roller. The front wall 30, as shown in FIG. 3 , has a U-shapedopening 34 in a lower part. A dealer slides the cards to take them outof the opening 34.

In addition, black cloth 36 (omitted in the other drawings) is hung onthe front wall 30 so as to block the opening 34. Further, though notshown, a cover is attached to an upper part of the card housing 24. Thecard shooter 22 is black as a whole, and is made of resin.

Next, the configuration of the platform 12 will be described. Theplatform 12 is black and is made of resin, similarly to the card shooter22. The platform 12 has a thin box shape as a whole. The platform 12 hasa table mounting surface 40 at the bottom thereof, and a shooter settingsurface 42 at the top thereof, and both the surfaces are flat.

The shooter setting surface 42 is provided with shooter positioningblocks 44 and 46. The card shooter 22 is put on the shooter settingsurface 42 so that the fore leg 26 and the hind leg 27 of the cardshooter 22 may contact the shooter positioning blocks 44 and 46, andthereby, the card shooter 22 is positioned with respect to the platform12.

Further, shooter hold-down blocks 48 are attached to a front end of theshooter setting surface 42. The shooter hold-down blocks 48 holds downthe front end of the card shooter 22 from upside, and thereby, the cardshooter 22 is held on the platform 12.

The platform 12 has a card guide unit 50 in a front part thereof. Thecard guide unit 50 guides cards, which are pulled out one by one fromthe card shooter 22, onto the game table 20, as described below.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the card guide unit 50 has a card guidesurface 52 that is an inclined plane. One end of the card guide surface52 is connected with an opening 34 of a card outlet of the platform 12.The card guide surface 52 extends forward and downward from the frontthe card outlet, and the other end of the card guide surface isconnected with the game table 20. The card guide surface 52 becomes ameasurement surface for card reading.

Card guide rails 54 are attached to edges on both sides of the cardguide surface 52. As shown in FIG. 2 , a card passage gap 56 is formedbetween the card guide rails 54 and the card guide surface 52. The sizeof the card passage gap 56 is set to be slightly larger than thethickness of a card. After a card is pulled out of the card shooter 22,it passes along the card guide surface 52. At this time, both ends ofthe card pass through the card passage gap 56.

Further, the inclination of the card guide surface 50 is changed on theway as shown. The card guide rails 54 are provided in a region beforethe inclination changes, and the card guide rails 54 is slightly longerthan the short sides of a card.

Further, a sensor cover 58 is attached to each of the two card guiderails 54 with screws. As shown in FIG. 4 , when the sensor covers 58 aredetached, four sensors are exposed. The sensor covers 58 protect thesensors form outside light. The four sensors are two black light sensors60, an object detecting sensor 62, and a measurement validitydetermining sensor 64, and these sensors are provided in the card guidesurface 52 of the card guide unit 50. In the drawing, the black lightsensors 60 and the measurement validity determining sensor 64 can beseen from sensor cleaning holes 66 and 67 that pass through the cardguide rails 54.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the black light sensors 60 (hereinafter referred toas UV sensors 60) are located on the relatively upstream side in thedirection of flow of a card, on the card guide surface 52. Further, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the UV sensors 60 are arranged in the innerspace of the platform 12, are fixed to the ceiling (the other side ofthe card guide surface 52) of the platform with stays, and are exposedthrough the opening of the card guide surface 52.

Each of the UV sensors 60 includes an LED (ultraviolet LED) that emitsultraviolet rays, and a detector. A card is irradiated with ultravioletrays (black light), and a code of the card is detected by the detectors.The code of the number (rank: A, 1 to 10, J, Q, and K) of a card isprinted on the card with ultraviolet ray emission ink that produces acolor when ultraviolet rays strike the card.

The above UV sensors 60 are connected to the control box 14 throughcables. In the control box 14, the number of a card is determined fromoutput signals of the detectors of the UV sensors 60.

Here, as the code 110 for the number of a card, for example, a pluralityof code elements 112 are arrayed on edges of the card such as shown inFIGS. 13, 15, and 16 . For example, the code elements 112 may bequadrangular marks, circular marks, or the like which are printed inultraviolet ray emission ink.

The number of the card is expressed by the numbers of the marks. The UVsensors 60 output ON signals when the marks are detected. Accordingly,the UV sensors 60 on both edges output ON signals of the numbers of themarks. In the control box 14, the ON signals input from the two UVsensors 60 are counted. Thereby, the two mark numbers detected by thetwo UV sensors 60 are obtained. Also, the control box 14 specifies thenumber of a card from the numbers of the marks.

In addition, although the numbers of marks and the number of a card maybe the same as each other, they may not be the same as each other. Thenumbers of the marks and the number of a card only need to match eachother one-on-one. In the control box 14, a detected mark number iscompared with a mark number that is registered in advance, and thereby,the number of a card may be specified.

Further, in the baccarat game, “J”, “Q”, and “K” are treated as equal to“10.” Thus, the same code as “10” may be attached to “J”, “Q”, and “K.”Further, in addition to the number of a card, a code representing a suit(spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs) may be attached to a card, andthis may be read. In this way, the type of codes is not limited if thenumbers of cards required for a game are expressed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the card reader 10includes the UV sensors 60 that detects marks from a card and outputssignals. The above UV sensors 60 output ON signals during passage ofmarks. Marks including a given number are provided on a card, and themarks are provided on the edges of the card, and thereby arrayed in acard pulling direction so that they may pass through the UV sensors 60.Then, the number of the marks is associated with the number of the card,and the control box 14 specifies the card from detection signals of theUV sensors 60.

Further, as described above, in the card reader 10 of the presentembodiment, the two UV sensors 60 are provided as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Then, as shown in the example of FIG. 13 , marks are arrayed on bothedges of a card in correspondence with both the UV sensors 60, and themarks are read by both the UV sensors 60. The marks are suitablyprovided in a region where a picture is not provided as shown. However,actual marks are not usually visible.

As described above, in the present embodiment, marks including a givennumber are suitably arrayed on each edge of a card. As for theassociation between a mark number and a card, the sum of mark numbersmay simply be associated with the number of a card. Further, acombination of two rows of mark numbers may be associated with thenumber of a card. In the latter form, it is possible to identify morecards by few marks. Moreover, one of the rows may be associated with anumber of the card and the other row may be associated with a suit ofthe card. In addition, FIG. 13 is just illustrative, and the number ofmark rows is not limited to two, but the number of rows may be one orthree or more.

Also, two mark rows 114 and 116 may be suitably provided on each of bothedges of a card as shown in FIG. 15 . In this case, the arrangement ofthe UV sensors is also properly adjusted.

Further, additionally describing the configuration of the control box14, the control box 14 of the card reader 10 includes a counter, amemory (storage means), and a number specifying unit. The counter countsdetection signals from the UV sensors 60, and finds out a mark number.Also, the memory stores information that associates the mark number witha card. The associated information is typically a table. The numberspecifying unit specifies the number of a card from the numbers of markswith reference to the information of the memory.

In the present embodiment, the counter is able to find out two marknumbers corresponding to the two UV sensors 60. As described above, inthe present embodiment, a combination of a plurality of rows of marknumbers may be associated with a card. In this case, a memory storesinformation that associates the combination of the mark numbers with acard. Also, the number specifying unit specifies a card corresponding tothe combination of the card numbers.

Next, the object detecting sensor 62 and the measurement validitydetermining sensor 64 are fiber sensors that detect the existence ornon-existence of a card. The object detecting sensor 62 is located onthe most upstream side along the flow direction of a card on the cardguide surface 52, and the measurement validity determining sensor 64 islocated on the downstream side of the object detecting sensor 62. Also,as shown in FIG. 6 , the object detecting sensor 62 and the measurementvalidity determining sensor 64 are provided on the upstream anddownstream sides of reading points of the UV sensors 60. The objectdetecting sensor 62 and the measurement validity determining sensor 64correspond to a first card detecting sensor and a second card detectingsensor, respectively.

Further, similarly to the UV sensors 60, the object detecting sensor 62and the measurement validity determining sensor 64 are arranged in theinner surface of the platform 12, are fixed to the ceiling of theplatform, and are exposed through the opening of the card guide surface52.

The object detecting sensor 62 and the measurement validity determiningsensor 64, as shown in FIG. 2 , are connected to the control box 14 bycables via a sensor amplifier 68. The sensor amplifier 68 is of a twochannel type, and is able to independently control the object detectingsensor 62 and the measurement validity determining sensor 64. On thebasis of detection signals of the object detecting sensor 62 and themeasurement validity determining sensor 64, the control box 14, as willbe described below, controls the start and end of reading of the UVsensors 60, and determines whether or not a card has normally passedalong the card guide surface 52.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 , a side surface of the platform 12 isfurther provided with a buzzer 70, a push button 72 with a lamp, a resetswitch 74, an error lamp 76 (red), a monitor changeover switch 78, and anormal lamp 80 (green). In the push button 72 with a lamp, the lamp isturned on or turned off whenever the button is pushed. The reset switch74 is a switch of a type in which a key inserted into a keyhole isturned, and the monitor changeover switch 78 is a lever switch. Further,the upper surface of the platform 12 is provided with a standard/specialmode changeover switch 82. This switch 82 is also a switch of a type inwhich a key inserted into a keyhole is turned. Further, as shown in FIG.7 , the back surface of the platform 12 is provided with a power switch84 and a cable connector 86. The above various switches, lamps, buzzer,etc. are connected to the control box 14 through cables, and are usedfor various kinds of processing of the control box 14.

The configuration of the platform 12 has been described hitherto. Asshown in FIG. 1 , the card reader 10 is further provided with themonitor 16 and the win/lose display box 18.

The monitor 16 is controlled by the control box 14 to display theinformation on reading of a card, and a game. The win/lose display box18 is provided with three lamps, i.e., a player-win lamp 90 (red), adraw lamp 92 (yellow), and a banker-win lamp 94 (green). These lamps arecontrolled by the control box 14, and they are turned on or off in orderto display the win or lose of a game. As shown in this description, thecard reader 10 of the present embodiment is applied to a baccarat game.

Further, the monitor 16 and the win/lose display box 18 are set in aproper location on the game table 20. On the other hand, the control box14 is arranged in a proper location, such as the underside of the gametable 20.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of various components relevant tothe control box 14. The control box 14 is a computer apparatus asearlier mentioned. The control box 14 is connected to the UV sensors 60,object detecting sensor 62, and measurement validity determining sensor64 of the platform 12. Moreover, the control box 14 is connected to thevarious switches and lamps of the platform 12 to control them. Further,the control box 14 is connected to the monitor 16 and three lamps of thewin/lose display box 18 to controls the display of them.

A computer serving as the control box 14 has a processing function toautomatically determine win or lose of a game. This function is realizedby incorporating a program for win/lose determination into the computer,and this program is executed by a processor of the computer.

As determination processing, the computer acquires the numbers of cards,which are sequentially taken out of the card shooter 22 to the gametable 20, using the UV sensors 60. The acquired numbers of the cards aresequentially stored in the memory. At this time, the information on towhich player each card has been distributed is also stored. That is, thenumbers of cards are stored in association with distributiondestinations.

From this point, the card reader 10 of the present embodiment is used ina baccarat game as earlier mentioned. In the baccarat game, two personsincluding a player and a banker exist (here, both are called players).Also, to which player the next card is to be distributed is uniquelydetermined from the number of cards distributed by then, and the numberof each of the cards. The computer determines to which player a cardread by the UV sensors 60 is to be distributed with reference to thenumbers of the cards stored in the memory. Also, the number of thedistributed card is stored in the memory in association with eachplayer.

Moreover, the computer reads the numbers of the cards, which have beendistributed to both players, from the memory, compares the numbers ofthe both players, and determines a win or lose. The numbers of the cardsare summed, both sums are compared, and which player has won isdetermined. A draw is also determined.

As such, concerning the baccarat game, win or lose can be automaticallydetermined only from the numbers of the cards sequentially taken out ofthe card reader 10. To which player a card has been distributed may notbe detected using other sensors, for example, sensors separatelyembedded in the table.

The control box 14 causes a game result to be output to the monitor 16and the win/lose display box 18. Read numbers, a game result, etc. aredisplayed on the monitor 16. Further, in the win/lose display box 18, abanker-win lamp 90, a draw lamp 92, or a player-win lamp 94 are turnedon according to the game result.

Next, the functions of the object detecting sensor 62 and measurementvalidity determining sensor 64 will be described. As already described,the object detecting sensor 62 and the measurement validity determiningsensor 64 detect the existence or non-existence of a card, and outputdetection signals to the control box 14. In the present embodiment, if acard exists, a signal is turned on, and if a card disappears, a signalis turned off.

First, the detection signal of the object detecting sensor 62 is used tocontrol the start and end of reading of the UV sensors 60. That is, whenthe object detecting sensor 62 detects a card (from OFF to ON), thecontrol box 14 instructs the UV sensors 60 to start reading. In the UVsensors 60, an LED is turned on, and a detector reads code. When theobject detecting sensor 62 stops detecting a card (from ON to OFF, thecontrol box 14 instructs the UV sensors 60 to end reading. In the UVsensors 60, an LED is turned off.

The object detecting sensor 62 and the measurement validity sensor 64are used to judge an attitude of the card. This judgment is made inorder to judge whether the card is sliding with a side of the card beingin contact with the card guide rails 54 or not. It is judged that thecard passed through in an appropriate attitude when: (1) the objectdetecting sensor 62 and the measurement validity sensor 64 detect thecard in order; (2) these sensors detect that the card passed through(the card became nonexistent) in order; and (3) the object detectingsensor 62 and the measurement validity sensor 64 detect the card at thesame time. In other cases, it is judged that the card did not passthrough in an appropriate attitude. This judgment process is performedby the computer of the control box 14. The result of the judgment of acard attitude may be indicated, for example by turning on or off a lampto indicate that the attitude was appropriate or not.

Algorithms for the attitude judgment are not limited to the above. Forexample, it may be judged that an attitude is appropriate even if notall the above conditions are met. However, using the above conditionsallows the attitude judgment to be more correct.

The object detecting sensor 62 and the measurement validity determiningsensor 64 are further used to determine whether or not a card hasnormally passed along the card guide surface 52.

The first step of FIG. 9 shows a sensor output when (when a card hasnormally passed along the card guide surface) measurement is normal. Inthis case, a signal is turned on in order of the object detecting sensor62 and the measurement validity determining sensor 64, and then, thesignal is turned off in order of the object detecting sensor 62 and themeasurement validity determining sensor 64. The reading result(measurement result) of the UV sensors 60 is valid (reading isapproved).

However, if passage of a card is normal, but a mark number read by theUV sensors 60 read is abnormal, the control box 14 determines that thecard itself is abnormal. For example, a card is abnormal when there isno mark at both edges of the card. The numbers of marks may beregistered, and be compared with a detected mark number.

The second step of FIG. 9 shows a sensor output when a card slightlycomes out onto a card guide, and slips back. The object detecting sensor62 is turned on, and then, the object detecting sensor 62 is turned off.Since a card has not reached the measurement validity determining sensor64, the measurement validity determining sensor 64 is not turned on. Inthis case, the reading result of the UV sensors 60 is invalidated.

The third step of FIG. 9 shows a sensor output when a card slips backafter the card has reached the measurement validity determining sensor64. A signal is turned on in order of the object detecting sensor 62 andthe measurement validity determining sensor 64, and then, the signal isturned off in order of the measurement validity determining sensor 64and the object detecting sensor 62. Even in this case, the readingresult of the UV sensors 60 is invalidated.

The fourth step of FIG. 9 shows a sensor output when a cut card is takenout. Here, the cut card is a card used in a casino, etc., and isinserted into a deck of cards. Cards following the cut card are not usedfor a game. If this cut card is not disregarded, a read error isgenerated. Then, in order to disregard the cut card, the presentembodiment is configured as follows.

Blue is given to the cut card. The sensitivity of the object detectingsensor 62 is adjusted so as to detect white and a mark color (a colorwhen ultraviolet-ray reaction ink produces a color) as well as a blueobject. On the other hand, the sensitivity of the object detectingsensor 64 is adjusted so as not to detect a blue object but to detect awhite object and an object with a mark color. This is realized bylowering the sensitivity of the measurement validity determining sensor64.

Since such sensitivity setting has been performed, when a cut cardpasses by as shown in the fourth step of FIG. 9 , the object detectingsensor 62 is turned on, and then turned off. The measurement validitydetermining sensor 64 does not react. Accordingly, the same sensoroutput as the second step of FIG. 9 is obtained, and accordingly,reading of the UV sensors 60 is invalidated. In this way, passage of acut card can be suitably disregarded.

In addition, although a cut card is blue in the above example, theinvention is not limited thereto. A separate color may be given as longas it can adjust sensor sensitivity so that only a cut card may not bedetected.

FIG. 10 shows examples of the above-mentioned sensor output waves. Whenmeasurement is valid, the object detecting sensor 62 and the measurementvalidity determining sensor 64 are normally turned on and off asdescribed above. Also, the UV sensors 60 are turned on and off duringthe measurement (during “ON” of the object detecting sensor 62), and thenumber of a card is found out from ON/OFF signals of the UV sensors 60.

Since the card slips back in the following pattern, the object detectingsensor 62 is turned off before the measurement validity determiningsensor 64 is turned on. Therefore, the reading result of the UV sensors60 during the measurement is invalidated.

Since the cut card has passed along the card guide surface in thefollowing pattern, only the object detecting sensor 62 is turned on andoff, similarly to the above pattern. The UV sensors 60 do not output anyON signal. Even in this case, the reading result is invalidated.

Since a card on which a code is not printed has passed along the cardguide surface in the following pattern, the object detecting sensor 62and the measurement validity determining sensor 64 are normally turnedon and off, but the UV sensors 60 are kept turned off during themeasurement. In this case, the control box 14 determines that anabnormal card has passed along the card guide surface.

The functions of sensors have been described hitherto in detail. Next,the operation of the card reader 10 of the present embodiment will bedescribed.

FIG. 11 shows the operation of the card reader 10 when one game isperformed. The power switch 84 is turned on as a precondition of theoperation of FIG. 11 . Further, the lever of the monitor changeoverswitch 78 is tilted to a position “before a game,” and the “before agame” is displayed on the monitor 16. Moreover, the key of the resetswitch 74 is turned to the left that is a normal position. Further, thestandard/special mode setting switch 82 is turned to the standard side.

A first card is read in this state (S10). It is determined whether ornot reading (measurement) has been valid (S12) on the basis of theoutput of the object detecting sensor 62 and the measurement validitydetermining sensor 64. If the answer is NO (invalid) in S12, the processreturns to S10. For example, when a card has slipped back or a cut cardhas passed along the card guide surface, the process returns to S10 fromS12.

If the answer is YES (valid) in S12, it is determined whether or not thecode of the card is normal (S14). For example, if there is no code, theanswer is set to NO in S14. In this case, the error lamp 76 is turnedon, and an alarm sound is emitted from the buzzer 70 (S16). An alarmsound is, for example, a large volume of continuous sound. If a resetswitch 74 is operated, the alarm sound will stop. The reset switch 74 isturned to the right from the left, and slips back to the left.

If the is YES (normal) in S14, the normal lamp 80 is turned on, and asound indicating normality from the buzzer 70 is emitted (S18). Forexample, a short small sound is output.

Next, game processing is performed (S20). Here, as earlier mentioned,the read number of the card is stored for a player or a banker. Then,the number of the card that is stored in advance is compared, it isdetermined whether or not the game is ended, and the win or lose of thegame is determined. If the game is not ended (S22, NO), the processreturns to S10 where the next card is read. If the game is ended (S22,YES), the process will wait for the operation of the monitor changeoverswitch 78 (S24).

Also, if the lever of the monitor changeover switch 78 is tilted to aposition “after a game” (S24, YES), the display of the monitor 16 isswitched to “after a game,” and a win or lose is displayed (S26).Further, even in the win/lose display box 18, a lamp corresponding to agame result is turned on (S28).

If the lever of the monitor changeover switch 78 is tilted to a position“before a game” (S30, YES), the display of the monitor 16 is changed to“before a game,” and the processing is completed. Then, the processproceeds to the next game, and the processing of FIG. 11 is performedagain.

FIG. 12 shows the operation of the card reader 10 when a special mode isset. The special mode is set by the control box 14 when thestandard/special mode changeover switch 82 is turned to “Special.” Thespecial mode is a first card invalid mode in which a card that is firstpulled out in each game is invalidated.

FIG. 12 is different from FIG. 11 in that it is first determined whetheror not any card is first just before S10 (S40). Here, for example, theobject detecting sensor 62 and the measurement validity determiningsensor 64 are turned on in this order, and turned off in this order. Asa result, when a card has passed along the card guide surface, it isdetermined whether or not this card is first. If a card is first, theprocess does not proceed to S10 but returns to S40. If a card is notfirst, the process proceeds to S10. Accordingly, the second andsucceeding cards are read.

Whether or not a card is first is determined, for example, using a flag.That is, when the flag is not raised in the processing of S40, it isdetermined that the card is first, and the flag is raised. Also, if theflag is raised, it will be determined that the card is not first. Theflag is reset after the game is ended.

In addition, in the push button 72 with a lamp in the platform 12, alamp is turned on or turned off whenever the button is pushed. When thebutton 72 is turned off, the card reader 10 reads a card as describedabove. On the other hand, when the button 72 is turned on, the cardreader 10 does not read a card. The button 72 is used, for example, whenreading of the card reader 10 is temporarily suppressed.

The preferred embodiment has been described hitherto. According to thepresent embodiment, the platform 12 is provided between the game table20 and the card shooter 22, and the platform 12 is provided with a cardreading function. Thus, reading of a card is enabled while the existingcard shooter 22 is utilized. Moreover, since the black light sensors 60are used, reading precision is high, and the threshold value of the cardspeed at the time of reading can also be set to a large value, forexample, about 3.6 m/s. In this way, a card reader that is capable ofutilizing an existing card shooter, is high in reading precision, and ishigh in the threshold value of the card speed at the time of reading canbe provided. Also, the reading result of a card is suitably helpful toprevention of an illegal act.

Further, in the present embodiment, the card guide 50 has the card guidesurface 52, the edge of the card guide surface 52 is provided with thecard guide rails 54, and the card passage gap 56 is formed between thecard guide surface 52 and the card guide rails 54. Also, the black lightsensors 60 are provided so as to read a card from the card guide surface52 within the card passage gap 56. Accordingly, the influence of outsidelight in a card reading part can be reduced, and reading precision canbe improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the computer of the control box 14functions as a win/lose determining means, the win or lose of a cardgame is automatically determined on the basis of the numbers of cardsthat are sequentially read by the black light sensors, and thedetermined game result is output from the monitor 16 and the win/losedisplay box 18. Thus, an illegal act can be prevented while the progressof a game can be supported.

Further, in the present embodiment, the computer of the control box 14functions as an invalid mode setting means, and a first card invalidmode can be set as described above. Accordingly, even when a rule thatinvalidates the first card is adopted, the card reader 10 can performgame result determination processing adapted to a card game, and canprogress a card game smoothly.

Further, in the present embodiment, first and second card detectingsensors (the object detecting sensor 62 and the measurement validitydetermining sensor 64) are arranged along the guiding direction of thecard guide unit 50, and the computer of the control box 14 functions asa measurement validity/invalidity determining means. Accordingly, thecomputer of the control box 14 can determine whether or not a card hasnormally passed along the card guide unit 50.

Further, in the present embodiment, the computer of the control box 14suitably determines that a card normally passed along the card guideunit, when the first card detecting sensor and the second card detectingsensor detect the card in order, and then, the first card detectingsensor and the second card detecting sensor stop detecting a card inorder.

Further, in the present embodiment, the computer of the control box 14invalidates reading of a card, when the card is detected in order of thefirst card detecting sensor and the second card detecting sensor, andthen, detecting a card is stopped in order of the first card detectingsensor and the second card detecting sensor. Accordingly, when a cardslips back, it is possible to suitably cope with this.

Further, in the present embodiment, the sensitivity of a second carddetecting sensor is set low so as to detect a card for a game and so asnot to detect a cut card. Accordingly, when a cut card is used, it ispossible to suitably cope with this.

Further, in the card reader 10 of the above-described presentembodiment, the black light sensors (UV sensors) detect code elementsincluding a given number from a card which the code elements are arrayedin a card pulling direction as an ultraviolet-ray reaction code, andoutputs a detection signal. Also, the card reader 10 includes a numberspecifying means, and the number specifying means specifies a cardassociated with the numbers of the code elements on the basis of thedetection signals of the black light sensors. In the above embodiment,the code elements are marks printed with ultraviolet-ray reaction ink.Further, the number specifying means is the computer of the control box.

Further, an ultraviolet-ray reaction code may have plural rows of thecode elements like the above example. A card may be specified by acombination of the numbers of the plural rows of code elements. In thiscase, a card is specified from the plural rows of code elementsincluding given numbers. Accordingly, even in this case, the codeelements including given numbers are read. Also, the number specifyingunit specifies the number of a card associated with the numbers of thecode elements.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the numbers of the codeelements are associated with at least the number of a card. The numbersof the code elements may be associated with the type (spade, heart,etc.) of a card, in addition to the number of the card. Moreover, thenumbers of the code elements may be associated with other information.

According to the present embodiment, since the black light sensors areprovided, the code elements are detected by the black light sensors, anda card is specified from the numbers of the code elements, the card canbe detected with high precision.

Here, the advantages of the present embodiment will be described in moredetail by contrast with a conventional technique.

The conventional technique uses a visible light camera. When the visiblelight camera is used, an existing conventional picture must be used fora card. The code elements like the present embodiment cannot be used forthe following reason. That is, since only a photographic subject ofvisible light can be read when a camera is used, the code elementsshould also be printed with visible light ink. However, adding codeelements onto a card separately from the conventional existing pictureis not allowed in appearance. Accordingly, when the visible light camerais used, the code elements like the present embodiment cannot be used.On the other hand, the black light sensors are used in the presentembodiment. Accordingly, the code elements just need to react toultraviolet rays. That is, the code elements may not ordinarily be aphotographic subject of visible light. As such, in the presentembodiment, the black light sensors are provided so that the codeelements can be utilized as objects to be read other than a conventionalpicture of a card.

Further, since the visible light camera is conventionally used, theconventional card picture must be used as described above. Therefore,the precision of reading is low, and the threshold value of the cardspeed at the time of reading is also low. On the other hand, in thepresent embodiment, the black light sensors detect code elements. Also,a card is specified from the numbers of the code elements. The codeelements are, for example, marks. The numbers of the marks just needs tobe counted, not the image processing of a picture. Such counting can beperformed with high precision. Also, even if the card speed isincreased, the counting of the mark numbers can be performed with highprecision.

Further, the present embodiment is also different from a bar codereader. In the bar code reader, the thickness of a line is an object tobe read. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the thickness ofa line is not detected, but marks are simply detected, and a card isspecified from the numbers of the marks. Accordingly, even if thepresent embodiment is compared with the bar code reader, reading isprecise, and the threshold value of the card speed at the time ofreading increases.

As such, in the present embodiment, (1) black light sensors areprovided, whereby objects to be read become code elements other than theconventional picture, and (2) unlike the conventional image processingof a picture, code elements are detected, and a card is specified fromthe numbers of the code elements. By virtue of these factors, precisionof reading can be improved compared with the conventional technique, andthe threshold value of the card speed at the time of reading can also bemade high.

As an additional advantage, according to the present embodiment, codeelements are suitably given to all the cards. Accordingly, it can beunderstood that, when any code elements are not detected, a card isabnormal. This is suitably helpful to prevention of an illegal act.

Further, as an additional advantage, according to the presentembodiment, the black light sensors can be used to miniaturize anapparatus compared with a configuration provided with the conventionalvisible light camera.

Further, in the card reader 10 of the present embodiment, the platform12, the control box 14, the monitor 16, and the win/lose display box 18are separately provided. As a modified example, some or all of them maybe integrated. For example, the control box 14 may be built in theplatform 12.

Further, since the card reader 10 of the present embodiment can be usedfor checking of a card for illegal act prevention, etc., it can becalled a card checking apparatus. Also, since the card reader is usedalong with a shoe (shooter), it can also be called a shoe-type checkingapparatus. Also, reading of a code in the above embodiment can also becalled measurement for checking Accordingly, the UV sensors 60 may becalled code reading sensors, and may be called measuring sensors.

In another modified example, the card reader 10 of the presentembodiment is integrated with a card shooter. In this case, an advantagethat an existing card shooter can be utilized is no longer obtained.However, an advantage that reading precision can be improved isobtained, and an advantage that the threshold value of the card speed atthe time of reading is raised is obtained.

FIG. 14 shows an integrated configuration. A card shooter apparatus 200includes a housing 202. The housing 202 corresponds to the configurationin which the housing of the shooter and the housing of the platform inthe above-described embodiment are integrated together. The housing 202is provided with a card shooter unit 204. The card shooter unit 204includes various components of the above-described card shooter.

The housing 202 is further provided with a card reading unit 206, acontrol unit 208, a first display unit 210, and a second display unit212. The card reading unit 206 is composed of a card guide unit 214 anda sensor unit 216.

The card guide unit 214 has the same function as the card guide unit inthe above-described embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, thecard guide unit is provided in the platform. In this configuration, thecard guide unit 214 is provided in the housing 202. The card guide unit214 may be connected with a card outlet of the card shooter unit 204,and may be integrated with the outlet.

The sensor unit 216 is composed of the sensors of the above-describedembodiment. That is, the sensor unit 216 has a black light sensor 2161,an object detecting sensor 2161, a measurement validity determiningsensor 2163, and related components. In the above-described embodiment,the sensors are built in the platform. In this configuration, the sensorunit 216 is built in the housing 202. Also, the sensor unit 216 islocated in the place where the card guide unit 206 exists.

The control unit 208 is a control device corresponding to the controlbox of the above-described embodiment. In the above-describedembodiment, the control box is arranged separately from the platform. Inthis configuration, the control unit 208 is built in the housing 202.

The first display unit 210 is the monitor of the above-describedembodiment. The second display unit 212 corresponds to the three lampsof the win/lose display box in the above-described embodiment. In theabove-described embodiment, the monitor and the lamps are disposed onthe table apart from the platform. In this configuration, the monitor ofthe first display unit 210 is provided on a side surface of the housing202. Further, the second display unit 212 is provided at a rear end ofan upper surface of the housing 202.

Similarly to the above-described embodiment, in the card shooterapparatus 200, a card is read, read data is processed, and a processingresult is displayed.

An embodiment of a table game system of the present invention will bedescribed below in detail. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating acard shoe apparatus, generally designated by reference number 304, foruse in a table game system according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 18 illustrates a card 301 that may be used inthe table game system according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent embodiment. The card 301 may be used in a table game such asbaccarat. A code 302 may be disposed at the upper side and the lowerside of the face of the card 301 in a point-symmetric manner. The code302 may be composed of marks M that are invisible to the naked eye.Also, the card 301 includes an authenticity determination code 303 madeup of coded information that indicates the authenticity of the card. Theauthenticity determination code 303 is arranged by printing or the likeso as to be invisible to the naked eye, using, for example, ultravioletreactive ink.

The card shoe apparatus 304 includes a card guide unit 307 that guidescards 301 that are manually drawn out one by one from a card housingunit 305 onto a game table 306, a code reading unit 308 that reads, whena card 301 is manually drawn out from the card housing unit 305 by adealer or the like of a casino, the code 302 that indicates a figure(number, rank) of that card 301, a winning/losing determination unit 310that determines the winning/losing of the card game based on the numbersof the cards 301 sequentially read by the code reading unit 308, and anoutput means 311 that outputs the result of the determination made bythe winning/losing determination unit 310. The card guide unit 307includes a card movement restriction means 330, 340 (to be describedlater) that restricts the movement of the card 301 from the card housingunit 305.

Next, the code reading unit 308 that reads, from a card 301, the code302 that indicates a figure (number, rank) of the card 301 when the card301 is manually drawn out from the card housing unit 305 will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 19 . The code reading unit308 is provided in the card guide unit 307 that guides the cards 301manually taken out one by one from an opening 313 onto the game table306, with the opening 313 provided in a front portion of the cardhousing unit 305. The card guide unit 307 includes an inclined surfaceand a card guide 314 attached at an edge portion of each of both sidesof the inclined surface, with the card guide 314 also serving as asensor cover. The card guide 314 is configured to beattachable/detachable with screws or the like (not shown) so as to bereplaceable. When a card guide 314 is removed, a sensor group 315 of thecode reading portion 308 is exposed. The sensor group 315 is composed offour sensors, including two ultraviolet reactive sensors (UV sensors)320 and 321, and object detection sensors 322 and 323.

The object detection sensors 322 and 323 are optical fiber sensors thateach detect the presence of the card 301, and are capable of detectingmovement of the card 301. The object detection sensor 322 is placed inthe upstream side of the card guide unit 307 with respect to the traveldirection of the card 301 (indicated by the arrow S in FIG. 19 ), andthe object detection sensor 323 is placed in the downstream side of thecard guide unit 307 with respect to the travel direction of the card301. As shown in FIG. 19 , the object detection sensors 322 and 323 arerespectively provided in the upstream side and the downstream side ofthe UV sensors 320 and 321. The UV sensors 320 and 321 each include anLED (UV LED) that emits an ultraviolet ray and a detector. The marks Mare printed on the card 301 in UV luminescent ink that emits color whenUV ray is applied. The card 301 is irradiated with the UV ray (blacklight), and the detector detects the light reflected by the marks M ofthe code 302 of the card 301. The UV sensors 320 and 321 are connectedto a control apparatus 312 of the code reading unit 308 via a cable. Inthe code reading unit 308, the arrangement patterns of the marks M aredetermined based on the output signals from the detectors of the UVsensors 320 and 321, such that the number (rank) corresponding to thecode 302 is determined.

In the code reading unit 308, the start and end of the reading performedby the UV sensors 320 and 321 are controlled by the control apparatus312 based on the detection signals from the object detection sensors 322and 323. Also, the control apparatus 312 determines whether the card 301has normally passed through the card guide unit 307 based on thedetection signals from the object detection sensors 322 and 323. Asshown in FIG. 18 , the rectangular marks M are arranged within aframework of two rows with four columns on each of the upper and bottomedges of a card, and the arrangement of such marks indicates the rank(number) and the suit (Heart, Spade or the like) of the card. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, for each card, a mark M may either bepresent or absent at each of the predetermined locations within theframework of rows and columns depending on the particular mark and suitto be encoded. When the UV sensor(s) 320 and/or 321 detect(s) a mark Mthat is filled in, such UV sensor(s) output(s) an on signal, and whenthe UV sensor(s) 320 and/or 321 do not detect a mark M, an on signal isnot generated. In this way, the code reading unit 308 identifies thecode based on the relative difference or the like between the two marksM detected by the two UV sensors 320 and 321, thereby identifying thenumber (rank) and the type (suit) of the corresponding card 301.

The relation between the code 302 and the output of the on signals fromthe two UV sensors 320 and 321 are shown in FIG. 5 . It is possible toidentify a predetermined arrangement pattern of the marks M based on thecomparison results of the relative changes in the output of the onsignals from the UV sensors 320 and 321. As a result, in two rows (theupper and lower rows), four types of arrangement patterns of the mark Mare possible, and since patterns are printed in four columns, it ispossible to form 256 types of codes (4.times.4.times.4.times.4). Fiftytwo (52) playing cards are each assigned to one of the 256 codes, andthe relations of such assignment are stored in memory 12M as anassociation table. A configuration is thereby adopted in which the cardreading unit 308 can, by identifying the code 302, identify the number(rank) and the type (suit) of the card 301 based on that predeterminedassociation table (not shown). It should be appreciated that theassignment of a specific code of the 256 codes to each playing card doesnot need to be fixed, and in other exemplary embodiments of theinvention each of the 52 cards can be freely associated with 52 codesout of the 256 codes to be stored in the association table, and thus avariety of associations are possible. Therefore, it is possible tochange the associations between the 256 codes and 52 cards depending onthe time or place. Preferably, the code is printed with a paint materialthat becomes visible when irradiated with UV ray, and placed in aposition where it does not overlap the indications of the card types orindexes 402.

An association table may be prepared by freely associating 52 codes outof the 256 codes with 52 cards, and a plurality of different associationtables (ex. 1 to 10 or more tables) may be prepared in advance. If thecode 302 does not match the code defined in the applicable associationtable, an error is detected and it is determined that cheating may haveoccurred.

Next, the configuration of the control apparatus 312 will be described.The control apparatus 312, the code reading unit 308, the winning/losingdetermination unit 310 and the like are realized by a computerapparatus, and in particular a computer apparatus including at least amemory, at least a processor, and at least a non-transitory computerreadable medium on which may be stored instructions that are read by theat least one processor to perform algorithms according to variousexemplary embodiments of the present invention. The numbers of cardssequentially taken out onto the game table 306 are acquired using the UVsensors 320 and 321 in the code reading unit 308, and the numbers ofcards thus acquired are sequentially stored in a memory. At this time,information on which card 301 is dealt to which player is also stored.The number of each card is stored in association with the player to whomthat card was dealt. In baccarat, there is a player and a banker. Therank (number) of the card dealt is stored in the memory in associationwith the player to whom it was dealt, and the ranks (number) of thecards dealt are added for each player, and the winner is determinedbased on the programmed rules. A “tie” is also judged. Thewinning/losing determination unit 310 determines the winning/losing ofthe card game based on the numbers of the cards 301 sequentially read bythe code reading unit 308 and whether the game of this round is over.When the game of this round is over, an operator or dealer is requiredto push a result key 360 on the side of a card shoe apparatus 304 to letthe output means 311 output the result of the game.

Next, the card movement restriction means 330 that restricts themovement of the card 301 to/from the card housing unit 305 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 20A, 20B and 22 . In FIG. 20A, thecard movement restriction means 330 is provided in the card guide 314 ofthe card guide unit 307 that guides the cards 301 taken out one by onefrom the opening 313, which is provided in a front portion of the cardhousing unit 305. The card movement restriction means 330 has astructure by which when a card 301 passes through a slot 333 between thecard guide unit 307 and the card guide 314, a lock member 334 pressesthe card 301 to prohibit the movement of the card 301 within the slot333. The lock member 334 is capable of moving in the direction indicatedby the arrow M by a driving unit 335 composed of an electromagneticsolenoid, a piezoelectric device or the like, such that it can take twopositions, namely, a position where the card 301 is pressed (restrictedposition) and a position where the card 301 is allowed to pass through.The driving unit 335 is controlled by the control apparatus 312, andcauses the lock member 334 to move to two positions, namely, a positionwhere the card 301 is pressed and a position where the card 301 isallowed to pass through. The rules of the baccarat game are programmedand stored in advance in the control apparatus 312.

Next, an alternative embodiment of the card movement restriction means330 will be described with reference to FIG. 20B. According to thisembodiment, a card movement restriction means 340 has a structure bywhich when a card 301 passes through the slot 333 between the card guideunit 307 and the card guide 314, a lock member 336 protrudes into theslot 333 to prohibit movement of the card 301. The lock member 336 iscapable of moving in the direction indicated by the arrow M by a drivingunit 337 composed of an electromagnetic solenoid, a piezoelectric deviceor the like, such that it can take two positions, namely, a positionwhere movement of the card 301 is prohibited (restricted position) and aposition where the card 301 is allowed to pass through. The driving unit337 is controlled by the control apparatus 312, and causes the lockmember 336 to move to two positions, namely, a position where movementof the card 301 is prohibited and a position where the card 301 isallowed to pass through.

The card movement restriction means 330 (340) is caused to function as aresult of the driving unit 335 or 337 being controlled by the controlapparatus 312 to prevent the fraudulent movement of the card 301. Thecard movement restriction means 330 (340) is provided with the objectdetection sensors 322 and 323 as sensors for detecting movement of thecard 301, and has a function of detecting movement of the card 301 withthese sensors 322 and 323 to restrict the erroneous or fraudulentmovement of a card. In this regard, the card movement restriction means330 (340) may be controlled to prevent the movement of the card 301 inat least the following situations:

1) when there is an attempt to draw a card at an inappropriate time. Forexample, the drawing of a card 301 from the card housing unit 305 may beprohibited when such drawing should not be allowed based on theinformation from the winning/losing determination unit 310. Thewinning/losing determination unit 310 determines the winning/losing ofthe card game based on the numbers of the cards 301 sequentially read bythe code reading unit 308 and whether the game of the particular roundis over. When the round is over, the dealer must push a result key 360on the side of a card shoe apparatus 304 to instruct the output means311 to output the result of the game. However, the dealer may attempt towithdraw a card after the round is over and before pushing the resultkey 360, in which case an overdraw error may be detected and theattempted withdrawal of the card may be prohibited by the card movementrestriction means 330(340). In particular, when the object detectionsensors 322 detects a card (FIG. 19 ), the card movement restrictionmeans 330 (340) may be controlled to prohibit the drawing of a card 301from the card housing unit 305 when such drawing should not be allowed.Since there is some distance between the position of the objectdetection sensors 322 and the position of the card movement restrictionmeans 330 (340), there is enough time between when the object detectionsensors 322 detects erroneous movement of a card and when the drivingunit 335 or 337 begins operation to restrict the card from drawingfurther.

2) when the card stands still (stops) at predetermined period of time atthe opening of the card housing unit. For example, when the objectdetection sensors 322 detects a card is being held in the card guideunit 307 for longer than a predetermined time, an error signal may begenerated and, based on the error signal, the card movement restrictionmeans 330(340) may prohibit further movement of the card. In thisregard, a timer (not shown) may be activated when the object detectionsensors 322 detect the card, and once the timer reaches a predeterminedcount, the card movement restriction means 330(340) may be controlled toprohibit further card movement.

3) when a card 301 is inserted from the exterior toward the card housingunit via the opening unit in a reverse direction, opposite to thedirection of the arrow S, namely, from the exterior toward the cardhousing unit 305 via the opening 313. In this case, although the card301 inserted for the purpose of cheating passes through the slot 333between the card guide unit 307 and the card guide 314, the movement ofthe card 301 in a direction opposite to the normal direction (thedirection opposite to the arrow S in FIG. 19 ) is detected based on thedetection signals from the object detection sensors 322 and 323. Thedriving units 335 or 337 may then move their corresponding lock members334 or 336 to their respective positions of pressing or blocking thecard 301, respectively.

4) when a card is misread. For example, the card movement restrictionmeans 330(340) may be controlled to prohibit movement of a card when thecode reading unit 308 is unable to identify a code 302 on the card, suchas when a code is not present on the card or when the code is presentbut does not correspond to any code within a code association table. Amisreading error may also occur when it is detected that the card hasnot normally passed along the card guide unit 307 or has slipped back.

5) when an authenticity determination code detected by authenticitydetermination code sensor placed in the card guide unit 307 does notmatch the predetermined proper authenticity determination code. In thisregard, a card 301 may be provided with an authenticity determinationcode 303 that is configured by encoding information that represents thegroup of the card. For example, card sets may be assigned a group codedepending on the particular casino, casino group, casino location,geographical areas or countries in which the cards are intended for use.The authenticity determination code may be printed using, for example,UV ink, so as to be invisible to the naked eye, and is provided in thesame position in at least the cards of the same set (i.e., all cards tobe used at the same casino). The authenticity determination code 303 ismade of a substance or material itself that emits, as a code, light raysof different wavelength spectra when irradiated with light rays. Anauthenticity determination code corresponding to a particular set ofcards used in a card game may be stored in the memory unit and referredto by the control unit 312. Accordingly, the authenticity determinationcode 303 on a card can be read by the code reading unit 308 (sensor 324)and compared to the stored authenticity determination code. If there isa mismatch between the stored code and the code on the card, the cardmovement restriction means 330(340) may be activated to prohibit furthermovement of the card.

5) when an authenticity determination code detected by authenticitydetermination code sensor placed in the card guide unit 307 does notmatch the predetermined proper authenticity determination code. In thisregard, a card 301 may be provided with an authenticity determinationcode 303 that is configured by encoding information that represents thegroup of the card. The authenticity determination code may be printedusing, for example, UV ink, so as to be invisible to the naked eye, andis provided in the same position in at least the cards of the same set.The authenticity determination code 303 is made of a substance ormaterial itself that emits, as a code, light rays of differentwavelength spectra when irradiated with light rays. An authenticitydetermination code corresponding to a particular set of cards used in acard game may be stored in the memory unit and referred to by thecontrol unit 312. Accordingly, the authenticity determination code 303on a card can be read by the code reading unit 308 (sensor 324) andcompared to the stored authenticity determination code. If there is amismatch between the stored code and the code on the card, the cardmovement restriction means 330(340) may be activated to prohibit furthermovement of the card.

The drawing of a card 301 from the card housing unit 305 may beprohibited when (1) the code 302 read by the code reading unit 308 doesnot match the code defined in the association table and (2) theauthenticity determination code 303 detected by the authenticitydetermination code sensor 324 placed in the upstream side of the cardguide unit 307 does not match the predetermined proper authenticitydetermination code. The presence of at least one of these conditions maybe indicative of cheating, and an error signal may be generated so thatthe card movement restriction means 330 (340) is operated to preventfurther movement of a card.

Upon operation of the card movement restriction means 330(340), an errorsignal output means 350 disposed on the card housing unit 305 mayprovide an external signal indicating that an error has occurred. Theerror signal output means 350 may include, for example, a lamp and/or anaudible alarm.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cardshoe apparatus 304 may detect an irregularity in the manner in which thecards are shuffled and in some cases generate an alert and/or prohibitremoval of cards from the card housing unit 305 based on the detectedirregularity. In this regard, the information collected by the cardreading unit 308 as the cards are drawn from the card housing unit 305may be used to determine whether the cards have been shuffledimproperly. An irregularity in the arrangement order of the cards willbe described with reference to FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B. FIG. 23A shows anexample where the cards 301 drawn from the card housing unit 305 havethe same suit (Clubs) with sequential figures (number, rank) beginningfrom Ace. FIG. 23B shows an example where the cards 301 drawn from thecard housing unit 305 consist of 9 cards with the same rank (3).Generally, the cards 301 are shuffled by a random number generator orthe like so as to be arranged in a random order. The arrangement of thecards 301 shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B is substantially non-random, thusindicating an irregular shuffling of the playing cards 301. Otherexamples of card arrangements which may indicate a shufflingirregularity include:

(a) a case in which a predetermined number of cards within a set ofcards exhibit a pattern in which the rank of a card is larger (orsmaller) by one as compared to compared to the rank of the precedingcard (for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, - - - , K) (as shown in FIG. 23A);

(b) a case where a predetermined number of cards in sequence have thesame rank (for example, A, A, A, A, - - - ) (as shown in FIG. 23B);

(c) a case where the same sequence is repeated throughout apredetermined number of cards (for example, A, Q, 10, A, Q, 10, - - - );

(d) a case where a predetermined number of cards in sequence have thesame suit (for example, 13 consecutive cards with Hearts);

(e) a case in which a predetermined number of cards in each of two ormore sets of cards have the same sequence of suit and rank (A, 5, Q, J,2, 8, 9, K, - - - ). In particular, for each card game, a different setof cards may be housed in the card shoe apparatus 304. A shufflingirregularity may be detected if a predetermined number of cards in alater-used set match the same predetermined number of cards in anearlier-used set in terms of suit and/or rank sequence; and

(f) a case where the order of a predetermined number of cards matches anorder registered in advance (for example, where the order of the cardsmatches the order of cards used in a separate card manufacturingprocess).

Irregular shuffling patterns (such as examples (a)-(d)) as well as thesequence of suit and rank (e.g., A, 5, Q, J, 2, 8, 9, K, - - - ) of cardsets previously housed in the card shoe apparatus 304 may be stored inthe memory 312M, and the control unit 312 may use this storedinformation to determine whether irregular shuffling has occurred. Forexample, irregular shuffling may be determined if the order of apredetermined number of cards 301 within a set matches at least aportion of the stored patterns. In another example, irregular shufflingmay be determined if a number of card sets each used in one of apredetermined number of games include a predetermined number of cardsthat match the stored patterns.

As another example, a shuffling irregularity may be determined when eachdeck of cards within a set of cards is detected to be shuffled in thesame or substantially similar way. For example, a shuffling irregularitymay be detected when, for a plurality of cards, the suit and rank ofeach card drawn are the same as those of the card preceding it by 52cards. In such a case, shuffling of a plurality of decks has failed forsome reason, and instead each of the 52 cards is arranged in the sameorder.

In general, a shuffling irregularity may be detected when a storedpattern continues throughout a predetermined number of cards. In thisregard, a preliminary alarm of irregularity may be generated at somepoint prior to the stored pattern being detected in all of thepredetermined number of cards. For example, a preliminary alarm may begenerated upon the drawing of a card that is several cards before theend of a predetermined number of cards. The preliminary alarm may be ina form different from the final alarm, for example, by characters, in acertain color, or with a different lamp. In an exemplary embodiment, ifa state does not continue to be irregular throughout a predeterminednumber of cards and returns to a random state, then the preliminaryalarm may be cancelled.

If a shuffling irregularity is detected, a final alarm may be generatedand the control unit 312 may operate the card movement restriction means330(340) to restrict movement of the card 301 relative to the opening313 in the card housing unit 305.

The preferred embodiment of the invention has been described hitherto.However, it is natural that the invention is not limited to theabove-described embodiment, but persons skilled in the art can alter theabove-described embodiment within the scope of the invention.

1. A method of delivering cards from a card shooter during a card game,the method comprising: automatically reading, using one or moreprocessors, numbers of the cards as the cards are sequentially taken outfrom the card shooter to a game table and storing results of thereading; determining, using the one or more processors, whether or notthe card game is ended and results of the card game based on the readingof the numbers of the cards; automatically detecting, using the one ormore processors and based on optically sensing a card, movement of thecard manually drawn along a dealing direction after a determination thatthe card game has ended; and generating a signal, using the one or moreprocessors, based on the automatic detection.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising delaying, using the one or more processors, displayof the results of the card game on a monitor until operation of achangeover switch.
 3. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising, in response to the generated signal during movement of thedetected card, activating, using the one or more processors, a card lockmember to restrict movement of the detected card.
 4. The method of claim3, wherein activating the card lock member prevents the automaticreading of the detected card.
 5. A table game system comprising: aplurality of playing cards, each card of the playing cards including aninvisible code representing at least a number of the playing card; and acard shooter comprising: a card housing configured to contain theplaying cards; a card guide unit configured to guide the playing cardsone by one from the card housing unit; an object detecting sensorconfigured to detect movement of the playing cards from the card housingunit; one or more readers configured to read the invisible code fromeach card of the playing cards guided by the card guide unit; one ormore processors; and a non-transitory computer readable mediumconfigured to store instructions that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to: configure the one ormore readers to automatically read numbers of the playing cards as theplaying cards are sequentially taken out from the card shooter to a gametable and store results of the read numbers of the playing cards;determine whether or not a card game is ended and results of the cardgame based on the read numbers of the playing cards; configure theobject detecting sensor to automatically detect movement of a card ofthe playing cards manually drawn from the card shooter along a dealingdirection, after a determination that the card game has ended, based ondetection of the card using optical card sensor; and generate a signalbased on the automatic detection.
 6. The table game system according toclaim 5, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, further cause the one or more processors to delay display ofthe results of the card game on a monitor until operation of achangeover switch.
 7. The table game system according to claim 5,further comprising a reset switch that is configured to be activated toreset the table game system.
 8. The table game system according to claim5, further comprising a card lock member disposed at the card guide unitand configured to restrict movement of the detected card in response tothe generated signal.
 9. The table game system according to claim 8,wherein the card lock member is configured to be activated so as toprevent the card from passing through the one or more readers.
 10. Thetable game system according to claim 8, wherein the instructions that,when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one ormore processors to activate the card lock member to prevent theautomatic reading of the detected card.
 11. The table game systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the card lock member is arranged at thecard guide unit further along a drawing direction of the playing cardsas compared to a position of the object detecting sensor.
 12. A methodof delivering cards from a card shooter during a card game anddetermining a result of the card game, the method comprising:automatically reading, using one or more processors, numbers of thecards as the cards are sequentially taken out from the card shooter anddelivered to a player or a banker; storing results of the reading so asto track progress of the card game based on the numbers of the cardsdelivered to the player and the banker and rules of the card game;determining, using the one or more processors, whether or not there isan improper and/or impermissible attitude, distribution, passing orreading of a card of the cards; and based on an improper and/orimpermissible attitude, distribution, passing or reading of the card isdetermined, generating, using the one or more processors, a signalindicating the improper and/or impermissible attitude, distribution,passing or reading of the card.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising activating, using the one or more processors, a card lockmember based on the signal to restrict movement of the card so as toprevent the automatic reading of a number of the card.
 14. A table gamesystem comprising: a plurality of playing cards, each card of theplaying cards including an invisible code representing at least a numberof the card; and a card shooter comprising: a card housing configured tocontain the playing cards; a card guide unit configured to guide theplaying cards one by one from the card housing; one or more readersconfigured read the invisible code from each card of the playing cardsguided by the card guide unit; and one or more card detecting opticalsensors arranged at the card guide unit and configured to detectattitude of a card of the playing cards passing along the card guideunit; one or more processors; and a non-transitory computer readablemedium configured to store instructions that, when executed by the oneor more processors, cause the one or more processors to: automaticallyread numbers of the playing cards as the playing cards are sequentiallytaken out from the card shooter and delivered to a player or a banker;store results of the reading so as to track progress of a card gamebased on the numbers of the playing cards delivered to the player andthe banker and rules of the card game, determine whether or not there isan improper and/or impermissible attitude, distribution, passing orreading of a card of the playing cards guided by the card guiding unit;and on a condition that an improper and/or impermissible attitude,distribution, passing or reading of the card is determined, generate asignal indicating the improper and/or impermissible attitude,distribution, passing or reading of the card; wherein the card housing,the card guide unit, the one or more readers, the one or more carddetecting optical sensors, the one or more processors, thenon-transitory computer readable medium and a display unit are anintegrated unit adapted for placement on a game table.
 15. The tablegame system according to claim 14, further comprising: a card lockmember, and wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one ormore processors, further cause the one or more processors to activatethe card lock member based on the signal to restrict movement of thecard so as to prevent the automatic reading of a number of the card. 16.A method of delivering cards from a card shooter during a card game anddetermining a result of the card game, the method comprising:automatically reading, using one or more processors, numbers of thecards as the cards are sequentially taken out from the card shooter anddelivered to a player or a banker; storing results of the reading so asto track progress of the card game based on the numbers of the cardsdelivered to the player or the banker and rules of the card game;determining, using the one or more processors, whether the card itselfis abnormal or not by detecting or failing to detect at least one markincluded on the card; and based on a condition that the card itself isabnormal, generating, using the one or more processors, a signalindicating the card itself is abnormal.
 17. The method of claim 16,further comprising activating, using the one or more processors, a cardlock member based on the signal to restrict movement of a card of thecards so as to prevent the automatic reading of a number of the card.18. A table game system comprising: a plurality of playing cards,wherein whether the card itself is abnormal or not is determined by amark or lack thereof on the card; and a card shooter comprising: a cardhousing configured to contain the playing cards; a card guide unitconfigured to guide the playing cards one by one from the card housing;a card reading unit configured to read numbers from each card of theplaying cards guided by the card guide unit having a detecting sensorconfigured to detect a presence or lack thereof of the mark on the card;and one or more card detecting optical sensors arranged at the cardguide unit and configured to detect an attitude of a card of the playingcards passing along the card guide unit; one or more processors; and anon-transitory computer readable medium configured to store instructionsthat, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to: automatically read numbers of the cards of the playingcards as the cards are sequentially taken out from the card shooter anddelivered to a player or a banker; store results of the reading so as totrack progress of a card game based on the numbers of the cardsdelivered to the player or the banker and rules of the card game,determine whether the card itself is abnormal or not by detecting themark or lack thereof on the card; and based on a condition that the carditself is abnormal, generate a signal indicating the card itself isabnormal; wherein the card housing, the card guide unit, the cardreading unit, the detecting sensor, the one or more card detectingoptical sensors, the one or more processors, the non-transitory computerreadable medium and a display unit are an integrated unit adapted forplacement on a game table.
 19. The table game system according to claim18, further comprising: a card lock member, and wherein the instructionsthat, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the oneor more processors to activate the card lock member based on the signalto restrict movement of the card so as to prevent the automatic readingof a number of the card.
 20. The table game system according to claim19, further comprising a reset switch configured to be activated toreset the table game system.
 21. The table game system according toclaim 18, further comprising a reset switch configured to be activatedto reset the table game system.